Life is meetings and partings

Life is meetings and partings.

It’s full of people we meet, and how they move us. Some people inspire us, some encourage us, and some love us. But others may scare us, doubt us, or break our hearts.

And these interactions are both good and evil, but beyond them. Though we may curse the one who broke our heart, that pain will help us to grow. Sometimes those who encourage us prevent us from fully letting go and moving on.

I’ve met a lot of people in my life.  Some became friends, some became enemies, and most faded into dull, gray obscurity.  But all who remained left some kind of mark on me, for better or worse, and helped me become the person I am today.

And that interaction reminds me of a poem I like by poet Shane Koyczan, titled “Tarot”, which is about The Fool, and ends with the line:

The Fool steps blindly, reminding us we cannot simply bear what is necessary, we must love it.

That feeling is sometimes bittersweet – loving the hard and heavy things in life like letting go, like saying goodbye, like getting our heart broken.

This weekend I spoke with three women I knew, and know.

The first was someone I pursued romantically for a summer – without success.  I still think highly of her, despite the rejection, and wish her all the happiness and joy life has to offer.  I expected to see her this weekend, and was happy to be able to spend a little time with her, though it was bittersweet.  But even those small pains are lovely, in their own way.

The second was someone I worked with previously, and also romantically approached.  I was unsuccessful with her as well.  When we both left that company, I never expected to see her again – yet I did this weekend, and I was happy to see her.  She seemed happier too, compared to how I remember her.  I’m glad.

The third was also someone I’d previously worked with, but not someone I’d ever asked out or pursued.  Ironically, I met her on the dating app Tinder.  We’ve been talking since then, and we’re planning on going out for coffee or something in a week.  Maybe it will turn into something, maybe not.  It’s too soon to tell, but I look forward to finding out.

Because life is meetings and partings, and the World spins on to reveal the next minute, the next hour, the next day.  And sometimes the best that we can do is greet the future with open arms and a smile, whatever it may hold.